Chapter 69

It's a bad idea to pair someone who does things without realizing it with someone who does things knowingly but without concern.

That day, Yūri was carrying an alchemical cauldron to Jake's room. Jake had asked him to help with a little experiment. At that moment, Yūri should have thought about why Jake had chosen him, especially since there was already Alie, who had an alchemical cauldron, in the hideout. Moreover, Jake had chosen a day when Alie was not around.

However, being Yūri, if there was something he could help with, he would follow Jake with a "Sure, I can help" attitude. Unfortunately, there was no one around to realize that pairing these two would be troublesome and complicated. If there had been even one person, they probably would have acted as a lookout. But with no one around, we proceed without any interruptions.

"So, what are we doing today?"

"Yeah, I thought you could help me make a potion."

"A potion?"

"Yes."

In response to Yūri's question, Jake answered with a gentle smile. It was the same smile as always, but there was a sense of excitement and anticipation. Yūri thought that if it was about potion-making, someone with the skill in potion-making should be asked. Yūri had skills in alchemy and synthesis, but not in potion-making.

However, what Jake actually needed was the skill in alchemy. To create a potion of such a high level that it couldn't be made with potion-making, an alchemical cauldron and the skill in alchemy were necessary. Sadly, Jake's profession was that of a scholar, and he did not have the skill in alchemy.

"So, what do I need to do?"

"I need your help to make the potion. The recipe was in a document, but it seems it needs to be made in an alchemical cauldron, not through synthesis or potion-making."

"…Even though it's a potion?"

"Apparently, if you mix the ingredients manually, the effectiveness of the potion is lost at a high probability, and the quality drops."

Jake explained in a calm tone, and Yūri nodded in understanding. If you didn't know the context, it would seem like a very charming scene. But in reality, it was far from charming. It was more like a danger alarm was blaring. …To reiterate, we proceed without any interruptions.

The reason it was dangerous was due to the personalities and compatibility of these two. On one side, there was Yūri, a boy who always ended up doing things without realizing it, despite having no ill intentions. On the other side, there was Jake, a troublesome scholar who, despite some awareness, prioritized his intellectual curiosity and charged ahead. And these two, without questioning each other's actions, would smile and help each other when asked to collaborate. …They might be subtly similar in some ways.

Thus, without any stoppers or interruptions, their joint work proceeded steadily. Jake took out materials from his favorite magic bag and Yūri threw them into the alchemical cauldron as instructed. …If someone had identified the materials, they would have realized that they were an unusual collection. But Yūri, being just a gentle young man and not a treasure hunter or adventurer, threw them in without a second thought. Interruptions were desperately needed.

"Are these all the materials?"

"Yeah, that's all of them."

"Got it. Then, switch on."

Yūri pressed the switch on the alchemical cauldron with a somewhat lackadaisical attitude. It was supposed to be a "Let's go!" kind of feeling, but it looked a bit lackluster. However, since only Jake was there, he didn't pay much attention to the details. Instead, he was excitedly waiting to see if it would work.

While the alchemical cauldron was working, Yūri asked Jake a question. Being able to ask what he thought of immediately was one of his strengths. After all, as the saying goes, "It's a shame to ask, but a greater shame not to." …Of course, not everything should be asked, which is the harsh reality of life.

"By the way, what are we making?"

"Hmm? The materials we just put in are for a regeneration potion."

"Regeneration potion?"

"Yes, it's a potion that does exactly what it says."

As he said this, Jake showed Yūri a page from a book. It described the regeneration potion.

To put it simply, a regular healing potion can heal wounds, but no matter how high-quality or superior it is, it cannot restore lost body parts. It can only close wounds and restore health. On the other hand, a regeneration potion has the specific effect of restoring lost body parts. Depending on the quality and class, it can restore lost fingers, hands, feet, and eyes. However, because of its powerful effects, it is not easy to make. Yūri didn't know this, but being able to make a regeneration potion alone would make a pharmacist top-notch.

But Yūri, not knowing this, only thought that this world, without magic, had some amazing potions. No one pointed out that this was not the case, as there was no one to do so. …Why, on this particular day, were there no people around who could have acted as a critic?

While the two were idly chatting, the alchemical cauldron stopped. The lid opened slightly as usual. Yūri opened the lid and reached into the cauldron to retrieve the completed object. It was a liquid in a long, slender bottle. …The bottle design was a typical glass bottle with a glass stopper, as Alie had told him not to use containers with too unusual designs. Parents are tough.

"Mr. Jake, something that looks like a potion has been made."

"Oh, really? The alchemical cauldron is amazing. Yūri, can you appraise it for me?"

"Sure, I can do that."

Having a vague feeling that he would be asked to, Yūri activated the "Eye of God" on the glass bottle in his hand. No matter the mystery, the "Eye of God" would solve it. Even if it was something he had never seen before, the "Eye of God" would provide accurate information. It was a wonderful guide.

---

Complete Regeneration Potion (Superior Quality)

This is the highest quality among regeneration potions. The quality is also the best.

The materials used are the same as those in the legendary complete regeneration potion.

However, thanks to the skill of the creator and the quality of the alchemical cauldron, it has achieved the highest quality.

Moreover, this potion can even restore congenital defects.

It can truly be called a dream potion. Handle with care.

---

"…Wow."

It was a disaster.

At that moment, Yūri realized everything. Why Jake had chosen him over Alie. This was probably a potion that would cause a lot of trouble if it was made. At least, it was at a level where the "Eye of God" was giving a warning, and it would be troublesome if anyone found out he had it.

Moreover, Jake, who probably didn't know this, had improved the quality by having Yūri make it. Furthermore, while it was previously made using Alie's alchemical cauldron, this time it was made using Yūri's, which had been specially made by the alchemist Gurgal for Yūri, using legendary metals, making it hyper-effective. Yūri usually didn't pay much attention to this.

"…Mr. Jake, was it a good idea to make this?"

"Yeah, this document was correct. The materials were right, so it seems it can be made in an alchemical cauldron, not manually."

"Mr. Jake, listen to me."

"However, it's probably too difficult for an average alchemist to make. After all, it's hard to gather the materials."

"Mr. Jake, please listen to me!"

"Hmm? What's wrong, Yūri?"

The scholar, who was happily muttering and writing, finally reacted after Yūri shook him quite seriously. Jake was always consistent. Jake had only conducted the experiment to satisfy his intellectual curiosity, not because he wanted the complete regeneration potion. As usual.

"Is it a good idea to have made this potion? It could cause a lot of trouble if anyone finds out!"

"Yes, that's true."

"Yes, that's true, but…"

"At the very least, if it's found out that we made this, Alie will definitely be angry."

"Why did you make me create such a thing!?"

"Well, I wanted to see if it could be made. You can't know if the recipe is correct without trying it, right?"

It was all about intellectual curiosity and the desire to explore. In front of such an attitude, Yūri collapsed on the spot. It was a very rare reaction. …Yūri, who usually did things without realizing it, was fundamentally a serious and kind person. He didn't want to get in trouble for making something so obviously out of bounds. In fact, just the fact that it could be made was scary. He wasn't wrong.

As Yūri was at a loss about what to do with the glass bottle in his hand, Jake, with his usual smile, casually said. This old scholar was satisfied as long as the theory was proven correct. It was a troublesome situation.

"Let's put it in your magic bag."

"…What?"

"Your magic bag is special, right? Others can put things in, but only you can take them out, right?"

"…Yes, that's right. My school bag is a magic bag that only I can use."

Since it was true, Yūri nodded. To Yūri, Jake said with a smile. …To be honest, this old man was a perfect example of a generally useless adult. Sometimes he would see him in a different light, but usually, he was so useless that he was becoming a perfect example of what not to be.

"If we put it there, no one will find it."

"…What kind of thinking is that, like hiding mischief from parents…"

"But I think it's the safest option, don't you?"

Since it's already made, Jake smiled idly. Yūri slumped his shoulders. He thought it was a bit strange to use an invincible school bag, which no one else could open, as a hiding place for mischief. But since the real thing was already there, there was no choice. Yūri resigned himself and put the complete regeneration potion deep into his bag.

I hope Alie never finds out that we made this, Yūri thought for several days.

This time, Yūri unusually took on the role of the critic.

Jake is really a troublesome adult…

He has no ill intentions, but he lives solely for his intellectual curiosity…

I look forward to your comments and feedback.